Orioles' Nick Markakis sizzling since moving to leadoff spot

CaptionLos Angeles Angels

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PRO: Mike Trout You may remember some talk about the Angels signing Albert Pujols for $254 million this offseason, but somehow he's become a secondary storyline in Anaheim. Mike Trout -- who hit his first career homer here in Baltimore last year and may have had the catch of the year at Camden...

PRO: Mike Trout You may remember some talk about the Angels signing Albert Pujols for $254 million this offseason, but somehow he's become a secondary storyline in Anaheim. Mike Trout -- who hit his first career homer here in Baltimore last year and may have had the catch of the year at Camden... (Mike Stobe, Getty Images)

CON: Experience at closer Leading the race for the top wild card spot, the Angels surely have the best odds of making the playoffs. And, to be honest, it was tough to find a significant "con" for them. The Angels can pitch, hit, field and run. Ernesto Frieri has been dominant at the back end of...

CON: Experience at closer Leading the race for the top wild card spot, the Angels surely have the best odds of making the playoffs. And, to be honest, it was tough to find a significant "con" for them. The Angels can pitch, hit, field and run. Ernesto Frieri has been dominant at the back end of... (Stephen Dunn, Getty Images)

PRO: Miguel Cabrera and Prince Fielder There's been a lot of chatter about Cabrera overtaking Albert Pujols as the best right-handed hitter in the game, and it's tough to argue. Steve Johnson certainly wouldn't after seeing Cabrera demolish his changeup the other way Sunday afternoon at Camden...

PRO: Miguel Cabrera and Prince Fielder There's been a lot of chatter about Cabrera overtaking Albert Pujols as the best right-handed hitter in the game, and it's tough to argue. Steve Johnson certainly wouldn't after seeing Cabrera demolish his changeup the other way Sunday afternoon at Camden... (Leon Halip, Getty Images)

CON: Consistency in the rotation Justin Verlander is about as good as it gets at the top of the rotation, but the Tigers' other power arms have struggled at times this season. Max Scherzer (above) and Doug Fister have both seen their ERAs rise from last year rise, and opponents have hit .320...

CON: Consistency in the rotation Justin Verlander is about as good as it gets at the top of the rotation, but the Tigers' other power arms have struggled at times this season. Max Scherzer (above) and Doug Fister have both seen their ERAs rise from last year rise, and opponents have hit .320... (Jared Wickerham, Getty Images)

PRO: Pitching The A's have utilized their spacious ballpark, pitching to the lowest ERA in the AL (3.43) despite having the second-fewest strikeouts in the majors (581). Bartolo Colon (above), Brandon McCarthy, Tommy Milone and Jarrod Parker won't finish high in the Cy Young Award voting, but...

PRO: Pitching The A's have utilized their spacious ballpark, pitching to the lowest ERA in the AL (3.43) despite having the second-fewest strikeouts in the majors (581). Bartolo Colon (above), Brandon McCarthy, Tommy Milone and Jarrod Parker won't finish high in the Cy Young Award voting, but... (Jason O. Watson, Getty Images)

“It’s something I always had in the back of my head,” Orioles manager Buck Showalter said. “I think Nicky’s capable of hitting just about anywhere in the order. But really got his attention when I told him he could get another 50 at-bats, he was all for that. Trying to catch up a little bit. I wish we’d do a little better job in the 8 and 9 hole, make his spot even more valuable."

In just a week, Markakis has improved his batting average 22 points, from .256 to .278. He also entered Thursday’s game with three three-hit games since moving to the leadoff spot. He had just four three-hit games in his first 50 games, when he was exclusively batting third in the lineup.

“I don’t look at it as an experiment,” Showalter said. “Most of those things usually go as well as somebody embraces it. And it’s a tribute to Nicky and his makeup. It was a real short conversation. ‘Come on, let’s go. If the teams needs it, let’s do it.’ I don’t think players, at least our players, spend that much time thinking about the order.”

Like Showalter said, the Orioles have been unable to capitalize on Markakis’ surge at the plate from the leadoff spot because of a lack of production in the bottom of the order. The No. 8 and 9 hitters are batting .182 (8-for-44) since the break.

Just about 13 hours after completing a much-needed 2-1 win over the Twins on Wednesday night, the Orioles return for a short turnaround in this afternoon's series finale hoping to salvage a series split.